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We return to National Theatre’s River Stage Festival

Wed 6 Jun 2018

We’re delighted to announce our return to the National Theatre’s River Stage from Fri 20 July – Sun 22 July, following last year’s spectacular debut, bringing an eclectic, diverse line-up of northern performers and musicians to the capital, showing London the best of what Manchester has to offer.

The River Stage is London’s largest free outdoor arts festival organised by the National Theatre in partnership with four of the UK’s leading arts and culture organisations begins on London’s South Bank from July. Alongside The Glory, Sadler’s Wells, nonclassical and the National Theatre, we will each takeover the River Stage over five separate weekends through July and August bringing the best live music, DJ’s, family workshops, club nights and theatre.

We kick off our weekend takeover with an ‘If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It’ opening night featuring last year’s opening acts, sequin-clad satirical weirdos Bourgeois & Maurice and Madchester legend Dave Haslam. Our takeover weekend will also feature pop-up theatre from The Manchester Project, suffragette sash workshops with Mighty Heart Theatre, live music from MIRO (Manchester International Roots Orchestra) and spoken word from Young Identity to name a few. For those ready to party, Saturday evening will culminate with ‘champion of good music’ and Hacienda legend DJ Paulette on the decks.

“We’re delighted to be asked back to present a weekend of performance and music as part of the National Theatre’s River Stage. We had a great time bringing the best of Manchester down to the capital last year and can’t wait to do it all again. With local artist such as Dave Haslam, DJ Paulette, Manchester International Roots Orchestra and the Manchester Project featured in the line-up, get ready for a Northern invasion (trains permitting!).” – Kevin Jamieson, Senior Producer here at HOME.

Look back at the fun we had last year. And take a closer look at the greats acts that are joining us…

Bourgeois & MauriceSequin-clad satirical weirdos Bourgeois & Maurice write songs that stick in your head like bloodstains in your nice new carpet. Their world is a sexy, stomping, politically-charged echo chamber. A highly theatrical kaleidoscope of current affairs, moral confusion and slippery social commentary. “It’s hard to think of any other act delivering such clever, funny and sharp material.” Time Out

Dave HaslamDave Haslam DJ’d over 450 times at the Hacienda in Manchester through the late 1980s when his eclectic, open-minded and ground-breaking DJing became a focus for Madchester’s indie/dance fraternity. His recent appearances include the Rex in Paris and Panorama Bar in Berlin. Dave will be spinning some tunes and talking about his new book.

Mufti Games – Massive BattleshipsA super-sized team version of the classic naval guessing game, played across public spaces. The cowardly Captain has abandoned his post, leaving just the brave but clueless cabin-boy in charge of the whole fleet! Will you step aboard to save the day?

Mighty Heart TheatreOur associate artists Mighty Heart Theatre are being unleashed once again on the South Bank. Creators of work that aims to reflect the world around them this year they will be inspired by the centenary of 100 years since *some* women got the right to vote and 2018 being a big year for women’s voices taking up space. They will be running workshops where you can make and decorate your own Suffragette sashes as well as hearing some exciting new writing looking at what is to be a woman in 2018.

The Beat ChicsThe Beat Chics believe in two things and two things only. Music from the 1960s and vinyl records. When they head to the River Stage, they’ll be spinning a collection of classic and rare records perfect for a late afternoon on the South Bank, including tracks from The Shangri-Las, The Supremes, The Zombies, Lulu and more.

Monkeywood Theatre in association with HOMEThe Manchester ProjectMonkeywood have commissioned 19 astounding Mancunian writers to write 19 tiny but titanic new plays exploring Manchester and its people. The plays take us from Moss Side to Middleton, Flixton to Failsworth, Droylsden to Didsbury and ask, when we push the clichés aside, what does it really mean to be part of this city?

Manchester International Roots OrchestraThe Manchester International Roots Orchestra (MIRO) is a unique ensemble of musicians with roots from across the world. Its repertoire skilfully combines diverse musical influences from haunting Eastern European melodies, to the delicate textures of Middle Eastern percussion and vocals; through to soulful Sufi chants of South Asia, joyful African gospel – embracing rap, hip-hop, classical and jazz along the way.

DJ PauletteIn a career currently spanning more than two decades and three countries – Paulette has been a resident at some of the biggest and best clubs in the world, with residencies in prestigious clubs including the Hacienda (Manchester), Queen Club, Mix Club, Cocoon (Frankfurt), Ibiza Rocks at Pikes Hotel. From radio to club she is a champion of good music – constructing long sets by digging deep in the crates of rare grooves and funk to disco to house and techno.

Young IdentityTalented collective Young Identity have been forging a reputation as some of the most magical young professional, poet, performers in the city of Manchester for a decade. Their work draws on a long established initiative in many of the city’s communities, it supports and develops the work of young poets – quite right for a city where poetry & spoken word is woven into its DNA.

Jaba do LeaoInspired by the floor-shaking rhythms and vibrant dances of North-Eastern Brazil, Juba do Leão (Manchester) take the audience on an enlightening tour of the intoxicating grooves of Brazil and beyond. Every performance features beats and breaks that offer a dynamic journey of Brazilian coastal grooves for an unsuspecting audience. With booming bass drums and slicing snare lines, this formidable power house are guaranteed to get you dancing your socks off!

And we’ll see you down in London!

HOME takeover the National River Stage Fri 20 – Sun 22 July. All events are free.